Tyler Dean Melton was arrested in December 2023, more than six months after the relationship was brought to the attention of police.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Huntersville teacher pleaded guilty in court Thursday for an inappropriate relationship he had with a student at SouthLake Christian Academy, records show.
Tyler Dean Melton, 27, was arrested in December 2023 after an investigation uncovered an inappropriate relationship with a student at the school. Melton pleaded guilty to crimes against nature on Thursday and could face up to 14 months in jail. As a condition of his plea, Melton surrendered his teaching license and is not allowed to volunteer at any schools or make contact with the victim.
Melton’s arrest came over six months after the relationship was first brought to the attention of Huntersville police. A Cornelius investigator noted a lack of action by Huntersville police in a search warrant application seeking access to Melton’s cellphone approximately three months before his arrest.
Detective John Lineberger told WCNC Charlotte’s Nate Morabito that Huntersville police were first made aware of the possible relationship in May 2023, but didn’t investigate further. A spokesperson for the department acknowledged the seriousness of the case but defended the agency’s handling of the allegations, saying detectives were unable to make contact with the victim.
A search warrant obtained by WCNC Charlotte alleges that Melton and one of his underage students started as “friends,” but their friendship evolved into a “romantic relationship” between April and May of 2023. The warrant says the two met almost daily in parking lots and eventually engaged in sexual activity, including on prom night.
Melton resigned from his position at SouthLake Christian on April 29, 2023, according to the school. His resignation happened less than 24 hours after he was placed on leave for a school investigation into his relationship with the student. Melton was hired as a substitute at Langtree Charter Academy in Mooresville in July 2023. A school spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte that he passed a background check and showed no disciplinary action on his personnel record. He resigned from Langtree Charter shortly before surrendering to Cornelius Police.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots. WCNC Charlotte is choosing to use the mugshot of the suspect because he was a teacher.
